In front of Ichiraku Ramen.
"This is it!" Naruto said the moment they arrived, pointing at the stall with obvious pride. "Ichiraku Ramen. Teuchi's ramen is the best. That smell alone—"
He leaned in and inhaled deeply, eyes half-closed in bliss.
Sasuke glanced at the shop. He'd been here before. Once.
The taste was good. Better than average. Even better than what he usually made for himself.
That wasn't the reason he didn't come often.
Nutrition mattered more to him than comfort. The ingredients stocked at home were chosen for recovery and growth, not indulgence. Ichiraku was satisfying, but it wasn't optimal.
Tonight was different.
Naruto had asked more than once. After their spar earlier that day, he'd asked again. Sasuke had agreed without much thought.
"Alright!" Naruto said, stepping forward.
Then he froze.
"Hey—Sakura!"
He waved enthusiastically.
Sakura was walking down the street, noticeably taller than two years ago. The sharp edges of childhood had softened, replaced by something lighter. A small, water-shaped figure hopped playfully on her shoulder, moving like a living doll.
"Naruto?" she said, turning around.
The moment she saw him, the water figure slipped back into her body, dissolving like mist.
Naruto jogged over. "What a coincidence! Want to eat ramen with us?"
"I was just about to—" Sakura began.
Then she noticed who was standing behind him.
"…Sasuke?"
Her eyes lit up.
"Of course he's here," Naruto said, jerking his thumb back.
"Well then," Sakura said quickly, grabbing Naruto by the sleeve, "I guess I'm hungry too."
They headed inside.
Sasuke glanced once at her shoulder. "Your chakra control's improved," he said. "That technique's stable."
Sakura froze for half a step.
"…Th-thank you, Sasuke-kun."
Her voice softened instantly. She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, posture straightening into something carefully composed.
Sasuke heard her heartbeat speed up. The water construct mirrored it, surfacing again, jittery.
He looked away.
Inside the shop, Naruto dug in immediately, slurping noodles between animated stories about training, dreams, and ideas he hadn't fully thought through. He talked loudly. Constantly.
Sasuke ignored most of it.
Sakura barely touched her bowl. Her attention drifted elsewhere.
Teuchi listened with interest, occasionally nodding or responding, clearly used to Naruto's noise.
Midway through his meal, Naruto turned serious.
"Sasuke," he said. "Is there anything else I can do to get stronger?"
Sakura's ears perked up.
Sasuke considered the question, then answered simply. "Read more."
Naruto stared. "That's it?"
"You've built your body," Sasuke said. "Now work on your head."
"Strength without understanding plateaus," he added.
Sakura nodded immediately. "He's right."
Naruto snorted and bent back over his bowl, attacking the noodles like they'd offended him.
The curtain shifted.
An elderly man entered, wearing a gray vest over mesh armor, a large black pot strapped to his back with ladles clinking at his side.
"Oh! Kosuke-san," Sakura said, standing up at once. "Good evening."
The old ninja smiled warmly. "Out with friends?"
"Yes."
"Well, don't let me interrupt," he said, moving toward the counter. "One ramen to go, Teuchi."
"Not eating here?" Teuchi asked.
"Mission soon," Kosuke replied. "I'll eat on the road."
He took his order and left with a wave.
The curtain fell back into place.
Naruto looked after him. "That guy's kinda cool."
Sasuke watched the steam rise from his bowl.
Experience lingered like that. Quiet. Unshowy.